An SVI insurance (Passenger Damage Insurance) compensates for the actual damage of both the driver and passengers after a traffic accident — even if no one else is liable or if the accident is (partly) your own fault. Thus, SVI supplements the mandatory WA coverage, which mainly compensates damage to others.
In this article, we explain what exactly an SVI covers, how you make a claim, what the difference with an OIV is, and which pitfalls and limitations often appear in policy terms.
What is SVI insurance?
An SVI is a damage insurance: it pays out based on the actual suffered (injury and property) damage up to the insured amount, regardless of the question of blame. Think of medical costs, loss of income, household help, travel expenses, compensation for pain and suffering (often included), and more.
Important: the coverage and maximum amounts differ per policy. Always check the insured sum, co-insured damage items and exclusions (e.g. intent, driving under the influence).
SVI versus OIV: the difference
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SVI (passenger damage insurance)
Compensates for the actual damage of the driver and passengers (injury and sometimes property damage), up to the insured amount. -
OIV/OVI (accident passenger insurance)
Is a sum insurance: pays a fixed amount in case of permanent disability or death, regardless of the actual damage. The driver is not always necessarily insured.
In short: an OIV can be useful as an extra safety net, but an SVI offers much broader injury damage coverage.
What does an SVI usually cover?
Examples of damage items that often fall under an SVI:
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Medical costs (excess, physio, aids) and rehabilitation
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Income damage and missed pension accrual
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Household help and help with caretaking/babysitting/garden
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Travel expenses and other unforeseen costs
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Study delay and educational damage
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Pain and suffering (often insured, check policy)
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Legal interest on the damage
What doesn’t fall under an SVI, may be mentioned in your policy (for example certain property damage or legal assistance). Damage to the vehicle generally falls under (limited) casco.
Examples: when is SVI crucial?
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Single accident (slip, pole, tree): there is no “counterparty” to hold accountable; an SVI covers your own injury damage.
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Own fault or shared fault: your SVI prevents you from being left with your own injury damage.
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Employers situation (commute or during work): an SVI for company cars prevents high employer risks in case of accidents with one’s own fault.
Submitting a claim on your SVI: step-by-step plan
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Report the accident timely to your insurer (duty to report damage).
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Gather evidence: damage form, medical information, wage and income data, receipts, overviews of help/extra costs.
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Substantiate damage items: list all items (medical, household, travel costs, loss of income, compensation for pain and suffering).
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Check policy terms: insured amount, included compensation for pain and suffering, (un)costs legal assistance, excess, exclusions.
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Have your claim legally supervised: a specialist prevents discussion about causality, scope and duration of damage.
At Arslan Advocaten we help victims free of charge: our costs are as much as possible recovered from the (SVI) insurer or the liable party. You get the full compensation for damage you are entitled to.
Common pitfalls in SVI policies
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Limitations in coverage (maximum amounts per person/event).
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Exclusion or limitation of pain and suffering in some policies.
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Discussion about extrajudicial costs: often can (partly) be recovered; the exact room depends on the policy and circumstances.
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Own fault and seat belt duty: can lead to mitigation of damage discussion; have this legally assessed.
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Alcohol/narcotics: often (partial) exclusion.
FAQ about the SVI insurance
Does the driver also get a payout from the SVI?
Yes. That’s what the SVI is meant for: also the driver gets compensation for his/her own injury damage (within policy limits).
Do I need an OIV in addition to SVI?
Not necessarily. An SVI is for injury usually the most important; an OIV can be additional for a predetermined sum in case of disability/death.
Does SVI always compensate for pain and suffering?
Often yes, but not in every policy. Check terms or let us check it for free.
Can I also choose a representative if the policy limits legal assistance?
Often there is room to recover reasonable extrajudicial costs (partly). We assess this and coordinate the route with the insurer – for you at no cost.
What if there is also a liable counterparty?
Then we hold them accountable and use the SVI as a safety net (or for quick advances), so that you don’t have to wait for money.
Help from Arslan Advocaten
We take your SVI claim completely off your hands: policy check, damage inventory, substantiation and negotiation with the insurer. You focus on recovery; we make sure you get maximum and timely what you are entitled to. Our service to victims is almost always free of charge, as we can recover the costs from the insurer/liable party.
